Glamping Show Americas 2026 Brings More Than 1400 Outdoor Hospitality Professionals to Aurora as Buyers Arrive Ready to Build
Walk-through structures, a new indoor Camp Store Zone and hands-on Expert Roundtable Workshops defined the 2026 edition
AURORA, Colo. — October 5, 2026 — Glamping Show Americas welcomed more than 1,770 verified attendees, exhibitors and speakers from 1,010 companies and 17 countries to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, September 28–30, 2026. The expo was packed with innovative products and services shaping the future of luxury outdoor hospitality, from yurts, domes, cabins, safari tents and modular lodging units to outdoor amenities, wellness offerings, booking technology and guest experience solutions. Complementing the expo, the Glamping Business Conference delivered practical education, fresh ideas and real-world strategies for operators at every stage of their business.
Exhibitors described a more decisive audience this year. Many attendees arrived with land, project plans, and budgets, ready to compare structures in person and choose suppliers.
“Glamping Show Americas is where operators come to see, touch and compare structures before committing an investment. This year’s attendees arrived better prepared than ever – with land secured, timelines mapped out, and budgets in place,” said Jessica Kirchner, SVP and Show Director, Forge. “With the addition of the new Camp Store Zone and the hands-on AGA workshops, we gave operators more opportunities to grow their business at every stage of their journey, while delivering exhibitors a show floor packed with motivated, high-intent buyers.”
A Serious Buying Audience
The show recorded an 81% onsite verification rate, including 1,400 verified attendees and 169 exhibiting companies. Tuesday, the first expo day, was the busiest, with more than 1,000 registered attendees checking in.
Operators came from across the United States, led by Colorado, California, Florida, Georgia and Arizona, with additional delegations from Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Europe. Owners, founders, developers and operators of glamping resorts, campgrounds and outdoor hospitality retreats were the core audience, alongside landowners planning their first properties.
Structures remain the main draw. Eighty-six percent of registering attendees said they came to see structures, and the show delivered 100 full-scale structures across its outdoor lots. Exhibitors said attendees were further along in their purchasing decisions than in past years, with fewer people simply exploring ideas and more actively selecting suppliers and platforms.
Structures and Launches on the Expo Floor
Across 169 exhibiting companies, structure manufacturers showed domes, cabins, park models, safari tents and modular units that attendees could walk through, compare and price on the spot. Several used the show to debut new products.
Wind River Built, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, brought its Nova hospitality model, a luxury modular unit with custom walnut millwork, a glass-fiber-reinforced concrete entryway and a curbless shower. For the company, the show’s value goes well beyond a single week. “What brings us back every year is the connections. The relationships we make here stay good for years. We see people returning, we meet new people, and it turns into real business,” says Stratton Tingle, Wind River Built.
Zook Cabins of Pennsylvania chose the show to unveil the Atlas, a new park model designed for glamping, with a glass garage door and a bed that slides out on a track. The company also showed its Outpost model and a new sauna. “We chose this show to launch our brand-new Atlas because attendees here aren’t afraid to give you their honest opinion. We came away with a lot of qualified leads,” adds Matt Meshey, Zook Cabins.
Ekodome returned to the show after a year away and debuted a multi-layer thermal liner and a new smart lock for its geodesic domes. Harmony Domes showed its geodesic domes alongside custom homes and park models. “Most visitors already knew us from Instagram, but they told us that seeing it in person was a completely different feeling,” says Asli Halic, Ekodome.
The expo also extended beyond accommodations. First-time exhibitor King Swings brought commercial playgrounds that operators can color-match to their structures. “Operators tell us a playground gives their property a focal point that helps them stand out from competition and draw families,” says Katie Fisher, King Swings.
New for 2026: The Camp Store Zone
This year, the show added the Camp Store Zone, a dedicated indoor exhibit area for suppliers that help operators earn more from retail. Anchored by Wilcor, the zone featured suppliers of campground essentials, outdoor gear, gift shop merchandise and guest-focused products.
The addition responds to a clear shift in the market. As properties mature, operators are looking past accommodations for new revenue, and a well-stocked camp store is one of the most dependable sources. The Camp Store Zone gave owners and camp store buyers one place to source those products, and it brought new indoor exhibitors to the show floor.
“This is our first time at Glamping Show Americas, and I ran out of line sheets by noon on day one. We’ve had lots of firm commitments, and people have already emailed their logos in for custom lockups,” adds Nick English, High Camp Flasks.
AGA Expert Roundtable Workshops: Planning a Glampsite from Scratch
The show opened Monday, September 28, with the American Glamping Association (AGA) Expert Roundtable Workshops, which filled every table. Rather than sit through presentations, each group received an imaginary 12-acre site and planned a 12-unit glamping development from the ground up. They worked through utilities, parking, unit layout, guest flow, and where to place the base camp building.
Operators moved pieces around, challenged each other’s choices, and debated what would work on a real property. The exercise also exposed differences between markets. A delegate from the United Kingdom, where operators typically work with much smaller plots, was struck that American groups wondered whether 12 units would even fit on 12 acres.
Attendees said the hands-on format let them learn from the experts in the room and from each other.
Conference: Data, Strategy and Stories from the Field
The two-day conference covered the full life of a glamping business, from site selection and financing to marketing, wellness programming and scaling.
In a data session on the industry’s outlook through 2030, moderator Whitney Scott was joined by Scott Bahr of Cairn Consulting Group and Shari Heilala of Sage Outdoor Advisory. The panel reported that 73% of operators now offer private bathrooms in every unit, and that 22% offer wellness amenities, with another 26% planning to add them. They also noted that 70% of successful properties sit within 50 miles of public land. Ninety percent of operators said they feel confident about the next three years, but one in three would struggle to survive a localized disruption, such as a flood or regional downturn. The panel’s advice: know your guest before you pick your structure and prove demand before you expand.
On Wednesday, Derry Green of Secret Garden Glamping delivered the keynote, “Back Garden to Franchise Brand,” tracing Secret Garden Glamping’s path from a single garden site in the U.K. to franchising and expansion into the United States. Other sessions examined retreats and wellness programming with Shannon Jamail of The Retreat Ranch and Keva Niver of Boheme Retreats.
For many first-time attendees, education shaped real decisions. “The education sessions were super informative. In fact, they’re probably what made up my mind to jump into this project,” said Carrie Burkett, Owner, Whitetail Wilds Hideaway.
Exhibitors also see the benefit. “This show points new operators in the right direction from the start. Education explains the process, where to begin, and how permitting works, so when they come to talk to us, they’re ready,” adds Vasyl Kostiuk, Founder, Harmony Domes.
The show also drew professionals from adjacent industries. Michael Zucato, CEO of Cuba Travel Services, attended for the first time to learn about glamping. “I came in with high expectations, and the show surpassed them. What surprised me most is how far this industry has come,” adds Michael Zucato, CEO, Cuba Travel Services.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Glamping Show Americas 2027 returns to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora, Colorado, September 28–29, 2027. Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are available now at glampingshow.us.
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About Glamping Show Americas
Glamping Show Americas is the largest glamping trade show in the Americas. Each fall in Aurora, Colorado, it brings resort, campground and outdoor hospitality operators together with more than 100 full-scale, walk-through structures, leading suppliers and expert-led education, including the American Glamping Association’s pre-show round tables. Glamping Show Americas is part of Forge.
Learn more at glampingshow.us.
About Forge
Forge is a leading global B2B events and media company, connecting buyers and sellers across high-value industries through live events, trusted media brands, digital products and year-round communities. Powered by first-party data, technology and deep market expertise, Forge helps businesses discover opportunities, build the right relationships and stay engaged well beyond the event itself. It is a company guided by a single purpose, Moving Markets.
For more information, visit forgelive.com.
Media Contact:
Amy Dufour
Marketing Director
Amy@glampingshow.us
